Underground · ITALY CAVE TOURS

Italy Underground: the 15 Best Cave & Catacomb Tours

96 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Two cities with burial galleries under them, a cave town in Basilicata and a coastline of grottoes. These 15 are priced and timed, with a note on which need a guide by law and which are a ticket you simply walk in on.

Naples: Naples Underground Entry Ticket and Guided Tour - Finding the entrance beside San Paolo Maggiore
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Naples: Naples Underground Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

1.Naples Underground Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 21,781 reviews · 1.5 - 2 hours · from $21Our pick

Join an English or Italian guide beneath San Paolo Maggiore for a 1.5 to 2 hour journey through Naples history. See the Greek-Roman Aqueduct, Roman Theater, Summa Cavea, old water channels, and an optional narrow passage. Add pizza and a drink for up to 15 EUR after the tour.

“Wonderful context and history of the city and a unique opportunity to explore and ancient aquaduct- would absolutely recommend!”

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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour - Entering the Colosseum from the arena floor
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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

2.Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12,691 reviews · 3 hours · from $160

Spend three hours with a licensed guide exploring the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. You will walk onto the arena floor, enter the restricted underground chambers, and see the ground and upper levels. Guides such as Carmelo, Teddy, Maya, and Enza have earned praise for clear explanations, humor, and helpful answers.

“Mitra was amazing! Loved the tour. Strongly recommend to get this tour and ask for her. She is very knowledgeable also based on her background. Studied art history and has a PhD. The three hours are worth spending on this tour. You also skip the lines and see everything you need to.”

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Naples: Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Ticket & Guided Tour - Starting at Via Capodimonte
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Naples: Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

3.Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7,941 reviews · 45 min · from $15Best value

Walk beneath Naples through the Catacombs of San Gennaro, where 3rd-century paintings, 5th-century mosaics, underground basilicas, and a historic baptismal font tell the story of early Christianity. English and Italian guides, including Nello, Emmanuel, and Antonia, bring the site to life. Your ticket also includes San Gaudioso and Santa Maria della Sanità.

“How to guide was very good, the catacombs are way bigger then expected. The frescoes where amazing. Highly recommend this tour”

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Matera: Sassi Tour with Cave House and Rupestrian Church - From San Francesco to the first views
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Matera: Sassi Tour with Cave House and Rupestrian Church

4.Sassi Tour with Cave House and Rupestrian Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6,618 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Walk Matera’s Sassi with a licensed guide, entering a traditional cave house and the rupestrian Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Guides such as Maria, Lorenzo, Paola, and Giuseppe bring the old quarters to life with local stories, history, and humor. The route includes panoramic viewpoints, Sasso Caveoso, and Sasso Barisano.

“Excellent informative, interesting tour with a fabulous guide, Maria was superb, thank you.”

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Rome: Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers - Starting at Piazza Barberini
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Rome: Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

5.Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6,456 reviews · 2.5 - 3.5 hours · from $60

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Piazza Barberini to Rome’s Capuchin Crypt, an early Christian catacomb, and San Martino ai Monti. You’ll use an audio guide at the crypt, hear lively commentary from guides such as Emiliano, Andrea, Maria, or Cat, and see bones, frescoes, mosaics, and ancient Roman foundations.

“The tour was great. Our guide, Maria, was amazing. Very informative, super nice and she made the whole experience wonderful. Our driver was great. Definitely would do this tour again.”

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Naples: Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour - What the Greek period added beneath the streets
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Naples: Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour

6.Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5,064 reviews · 1 hour · from $17Top rated

Follow a live English, Spanish, or Italian guide from the Spanish Quarters into Underground Naples. You will see ancient tunnels, the Neapolitan Aqueduct, old wall writing, and spaces once used as air-raid shelters. Guides such as Alex, Eduardo, Alessandro, and Grazia bring history and local legends to life. Expect stairs, darkness, and some very tight passages.

“Such an amazing experience!! We learned a lot and so glad we got to experience this! What a hidden gem!!”

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Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum - Entering the Colosseum through the Arena or Underground
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Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum

7.Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,041 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $107

Join an English-speaking guide for about three hours through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Choose restricted access to either the Arena floor or Underground chambers. Guides such as Gabriel, Rosy, Bogdan, and Francesca bring the ruins to life with visuals, stories, and clear audio headsets. Expect security checks, stairs, and plenty of walking.

“Bogdan is an incredible and charismatic expert of history. He painted an extraordinary and panoramic context of this historical site. Excellent experience, highly recommend!”

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Capri: Island Boat Trip with Grottos - Leaving Marina Grande and finding your boat
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Capri: Island Boat Trip with Grottos

8.Island Boat Trip with Grottos

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,923 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $28

From Marina Grande, cruise around Capri with an English or Italian-speaking crew, passing the Faraglioni, Casa Malaparte, Green and White Grottos, Punta Carena Lighthouse, and the Baths of Tiberius. Choose a Blue Grotto visit for an extra €18, or select a swimming option instead. Guides such as Giuseppe, Carmine, and Benedetto have been praised for clear, lively commentary.

“It was awesome! Christopher, the tour guide was great! He helped a lot and even showed some hidden caves out of the itinerary.”

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The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers - Riding out to the Domitilla Catacombs
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The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

9.The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,896 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Spend about three and a half hours exploring Rome’s eerie underground side. Walk from Piazza Barberini to the Capuchin Crypt, ride by air-conditioned coach to the Domitilla Catacombs, then visit San Martino ai Monti. Guides such as Andrea, Alain, Paula, and Heather have been praised for clear storytelling. Expect narrow tunnels, stairs, no photography, and covered knees and shoulders.

“This was a very enjoyable tour! Our guide, Frederica (Lola), was so lovely and knowledgeable. She was genuinely excited to share her city with us and gave us so much history of the things we saw. The group was a little large, even with two guides.”

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Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour - What the 1.5-hour guided visit covers
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Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

10.Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,844 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $105

Join an English-speaking guide such as Paola, Sofian, or Daniella for a 1.5-hour Colosseum tour limited to eight people. Visit the restricted underground, arena floor, and main monument, then use your included tickets to explore Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum independently.

“Daniella was a fantastic and very knowledgeable guide- we’ve done the colosseum before but this was such an interesting perspective and so nice for there to be only 8 people in the group.”

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Rome: St. Peter's Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour - Meeting at Piazza della Città Leonina
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Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

11.St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,404 reviews · 1.5 - 2.5 hours · from $38

Join a 1.5 to 2.5 hour guided visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes, and the Dome. Guides such as Claudio, Federico, Olga, and Sofia are praised for clear storytelling and lively history lessons. Choose the Dome option for the climb and broad views over Rome. Security lines may still take time.

“Our tour guide was Federico. He was excellent, very friendly, knowledgeable and charismatic. The tour flew by in his company and we couldn’t recommend him highly enough.”

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Polignano a Mare: Speedboat Cruise to Caves with Aperitif - Starting at Cala Ponte Marina
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Polignano a Mare: Speedboat Cruise to Caves with Aperitif

12.Polignano a Mare: Speedboat Cruise to Caves with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,382 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

See Polignano a Mare from the water on a two-hour speedboat cruise with stops at caves, coves, Lama Monachile, and Grotta Palazzese. Your English or Italian-speaking skipper, including guides such as Giuseppe, Claudio, or Mattia, adds local stories, music, swimming, and an aperitif.

“Our skipper Giuseppe navigated the boat expertly and made our ride enjoyable even with the choppy water while providing great music which enhances our experience. Terry the tour guide was knowledgeable and so hospitable answering all our questions.”

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Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour - Meeting your guide near Colosseo Metro Station
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Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

13.Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,272 reviews · from $157

You’ll enter the Colosseum’s underground chambers and Arena, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with a live Spanish-speaking guide. Guides such as Francesca, Donatella, Gabriel, and Gabriele have been praised for clear storytelling, humor, and a steady pace. Expect moderate walking, stairs, and no stroller or wheelchair access.

“Very informative tour with an absolute talented guide. Janina just knew everything, combined with a good sense of humour. We highly appreciated that we started the tour two hours earlier than originally planned, to avoid the long queue! Well done!”

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Sorrento: Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto - Choosing the right Blue Grotto timing
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Sorrento: Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto

14.Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,170 reviews · from $143

Cruise from Sorrento to Capri aboard a small boat for up to 12 people, with swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and four hours to explore. Choose an early departure for the optional Blue Grotto, then circle Capri past the Faraglioni, Green Grotto, White Grotto, and Punta Carena. Guides such as Fabrizio, Emmanuel, Antonio, and Raphael are praised for friendly, informative hosting.

“beyond my expectations are guide and boat captain were amazing as well as everyone on the trip so enjoyable”

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Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour - Meeting your guide at the Appian Way
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Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

15.Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,037 reviews · 30 min · from $16

Visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus beneath Rome’s Appian Way on a 30-minute guided tour. You’ll see the Crypt of the Popes, the Crypt of St. Cecilia, ancient frescoes, and the Sacraments area while learning about Rome’s early Christian communities. Guides speak English, Italian, French, or German.

“It was incredibly informative and reverent to be a part of.”

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